The Garden City (N.Y.) boys’ lacrosse team finished 2012 as the consensus national champion after finishing undefeated (22-0) as the Class B state champion.

So it’s little wonder that the Trojans are playing on the big stage often in 2013.

Garden City, ranked No. 2, is playing a ramped-up national schedule this year, including two games against national-ranked teams at professional stadiums.

The Trojans will face Maryland Interscholastic Athletic Association (MIAA) power Loyola Blakefield at M&T Bank Stadium, the home of the Super Bowl champion Baltimore Ravens, on Saturday, March 23 at 11 a.m. That game will precede a college lacrosse doubleheader featuring Colgate vs. Navy and Virginia vs. Hopkins.

Two weeks later on April 6, Garden City will face Duxbury (Mass.) at Harvard Stadium.

The season kicks off in style in March 19 as Garden City plays at Class A power Syosset. Another key Long Island foe is Ward Melville, on the road on April 20. A major highlight is the annual Wood Stick Classic, at Manhasset on April 27 at 7 p.m. A late-season battle looms on May 11 vs. Shoreham-Wading River.

Another out-of-state power, Pennsylvania 2012 runner-up La Salle comes in to Garden City for a date on March 30.

Garden City has won seven straight Nassau County Championships, the last six under Coach Steve Finnell who has a career record of 109-19. The Trojans have won three straight Long Island titles.

St. Andrew’s heats up early: The Scots of St. Andrew’s (Fla.) are 5-0 after dumping Lake Highland Prep (Fla.), 10-6. The Scots toppled Lake Highland Prep, 16-10, in last year’s state title game and have won four of the past five state titles.

St. Andrew’s gets its ultimate test Saturday when it faces No. 1 Boys’ Latin (Nd.) at North Broward (Fla.).
The TopLaxRecruits North America Boys’ Preseason Rankings